I’d always assumed that Bottega Veneta could do no wrong. Its intrecciato woven day bags are divine. Its delicate knot clutches are exquisite. But it seems that even a fashion house as esteemed as Bottega Veneta can make a mistake. Allow me to introduce you to this printed canvas tote.

It’s not a bad tote for what it is. Its teal color is perfect for summer, and its black print is interesting, yet not likely to date. That abstract pattern is a great complement to its black leather handles, which give this tote a hit of luxury. The canvas body isn’t opulent, but it is durable enough to survive salty sea air and a bit of sand.

The design of the bag isn’t really the problem; it’s that Bottega Veneta thought we’d pay $950 for the privilege of carrying it. Really Bottega Veneta? For that price I expect more than just leather on the straps. I expect all-over luxury, not just a hint. I expect a clasp to keep my items safe, and some pockets to keep them organized. I expect a completely lined interior, not just “partial lining.” This tote is laziness, pure and simple, with an undeserved high end price tag.

More Features of This Bottega Veneta Canvas and Leather Tote

• A designer stamped leather plaque
• Dual handles with an 8 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 11 x 10 inches

Get this Bottega Veneta Printed Handbag:

• Available to buy at Net-A-Porter
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Bottega Veneta bags on BagBunch
• The Anya Hindmarch Boat bag, a great alternative to this canvas tote bag.
• Searching for more Bottega Veneta bags on eBay
• Other canvas tote bags on eBay:

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Botkier gives the classic hobo a modern makeover with this Ava bag.

Buttery lambskin is the ideal material for giving this hobo its trademark slouch. It gives Botkier a great base to build upon, which it does with a lot of modern flair. The tassel is classic boho, but the angled zip pocket gives the Ava something a bit different. The chunky silver chain completes the look. I’m not sure I like all of the accents, but they certainly help set this hobo apart.

I can’t imagine this hobo will be too easy to manage though. That slouchy silhouette that hobos are known for also makes it difficult to get items in and out. And the Ava is enormous as hobos go, so our problems are only exemplified.

The leather center on the chain also seems like a bit of a token gesture. It’s so small that it’s not likely to cushion our shoulder too much. So one has to wonder, why add it at all?

The Ava has a real attitude about it, and I’m sure that will appeal to many bagistas looking for the next big thing. However for the significant price of $595 I’m looking for a bag that’s as functional as it is fashionable.

More Features of This Botkier Lambskin Hobo

• Zip closure
• Logo print lining
• A chain strap with a 10.75 inch drop
• Measures 11.75 x 20.5 x 4.75 inches
• Made in Indonesia

Get this Botkier Ava Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Botkier Ava hobo, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Sunny Today with Highs in the 80s eBay store to see if this Botkier bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Botkier bags on BagBunch
• The Botkier Ava cross-body bag, a great alternative to this hobo bag.
• Searching for more Botkier bags on eBay

Bodhi plays it surprisingly safe with this Modern Top Zip bag.
I’ve come to admire this label for its quirkiness. Who could forget the Safety Pin clutch, or the Temple shoulder bag? But there is none of that individuality in this handbag. It could have come from any fashion house at all.

That might help to endear it to women who’ve never warmed to Bodhi’s artistic vision, but I can’t help feeling disappointed. It’s a bit like when your favorite comedic actor decides to take a dramatic role. He might perform brilliantly, but you can’t help waiting for the punch line. In the same way, I can’t help looking for something that makes this bag special.

It’s all perfectly adequate, with a spacious interior, comfortable carry straps, and an assortment of leather trimmed pockets. That leather too is lovely, and its choice of colors is quite striking.

But when it comes to Bodhi, I expect something that will stand out. At $398 it’s not unreasonable for a classic leather handbag, but I don’t think it has enough personality to convince us to part with our cash.

More Features of This Bodhi Leather Shoulder Bag

• Dual chain handles with a 10.5 inch drop
• Measures 11 x 13 x 17 inches

Get this Bodhi Modern Top Zip Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock in some colors)
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Bodhi Modern Top Zip, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Flo’s Yellow Rose eBay store to see if this Bodhi bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Bodhi bags on BagBunch
• The Bodhi Small Satchel bag, a great alternative to this classic bag.
• Searching for more Bodhi bags on eBay

Coach is the latest handbag brand getting litigious in efforts to protect its creative property. The American fashion house is suing Jo-Ann Fabrics for trademark infringement.

Coach says that Jo-Ann Fabrics’ Blizzard Fleece fabric, which is decorated with elongated letter Os, is too similar to its C decorated signature print. It adds that the likenesses between the two prints will create “consumer confusion.” As a result it’s charging Jo-Ann Fabrics with trade dress and copyright infringement, trademark counterfeiting, false designation of origin, false advertising, and trademark dilution.

It might sound like an O would be easily distinguished from a C, but when they’re all smooshed together it does get a bit confusing. But still, would anyone really be taken in thinking this is a Coach-made material? Last I knew the designer label wasn’t dabbling in fleece.

Coach is seeking statutory damages of around $2 million per counterfeit mark and per type of counterfeit good, plus punitive damages, attorney fees, an injunction, and other assorted costs. That’s bound to amount to a whole lot of cash, the kind of sum that could put a company trading in fleece out of business. Do you think Jo-Ann Fabrics has a case to answer for?

[Source: Huffington Post]

Coach Signature Print Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Coach signature, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Bisadora reminds us that bean bags aren’t only for sitting in with this quirky purse.

Looking at this patent leather bag, it’s easy to see how it got its unusual name. Its retro curves make it look just like a kidney bean! It could have easily become a novelty, but in classic patent Bisadora gets away with this striking shape.

I love the sleek black synthetic, but I’m less enthusiastic about the gray flecked finish of the handles and corners. I guess Bisadora wanted to liven things up, but I really think it’s unnecessary. In my opinion, sticking with black would have made this purse look much more cohesive and stylish.

I don’t expect synthetic bags to cost the earth, but I still didn’t expect the Bean Bag to cost just $45. That’s very affordable, especially considering all the features Bisadora has packed inside.

There’s an open pouch for your cell phone, a zippered pocket for small valuables, and even a tiny loop for holding a pen. Despite the Bean Bag’s unusual shape, storage space isn’t really compromised.

This Bean Bag strikes the right balance between conservative and kitschy, and it’s affordable to boot!

More Features of This Bisadora Black Patent Shoulder Bag

• Top zip entry
• Black microfiber lining
• Measures 3 x 13 x 7.8 inches

Get this Bisadora Bean Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Bisadora bean, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the eBags eBay store to see if this Bisadora bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Bisadora bags on BagBunch
• The Emilio Pucci Bean Clutch bag, a great alternative to this bean-shaped bag.
• Searching for more Bisadora bags on eBay

Christophe Decarnin has been shown the door at Balmain, leaving the French fashion house searching for a new designer. Decarnin is rumored to be suffering from mental illness, and while Balmain has not confirmed this it’s thought the disorder led to his dismissal.

According to British Elle we can apparently expect to hear who’ll fill his shoes “in the next two or three days,” which leaves plenty of time for the fashion industry to speculate. Balmain stylist Melanie Ward would seem like an obvious choice, but a British Elle source says fresh blood is more likely.

“They’re going to choose someone unknown,” the anonymous source reported. “Christophe was an unknown when he came to Balmain, and the owners want to support lesser-known design talent.“

I’m not sure how much trust we can place in unnamed sources, but it’s some food for thought. The Balmain bags released last season didn’t exactly send us swooning, so I hope whoever joins the fashion house can create some more exciting accessories.

Thankfully we won’t have to wait too long to see who gets the top job, although if it is a little designer as predicted we’ll need to be patient to see what he or she can produce. Who would you like to see designing for Balmain?

[Source: New York Fashion]
[Image Source: Payal Jaggi/Flickr]

Balmain Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Balmain, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

For years we’ve seen designers using whipstitching to spice up their handles, but recently Big Buddha has decided to shake things up a bit. With bags like the Carrie and Kaitlyn we’ve seen the label use chain and whipstitching to decorate the body. And with the Zion, the contemporary brand steps things up a notch.

With the Zion, Big Buddha has done away with the chains, leaving the whipstitching to do all the talking. And talk it does, with gently curved lines creating a sort of sunset pattern. Personally I prefer this to the chain decorated stitching, as it’s a bit softer and more timeless. The stitching is complemented by a gently ombre effect. It’s more pronounced in some of the other color combinations, but I love the subtlety of this blue bag.

But as I so often gripe about when it comes to Big Buddha, the decorations are restricted to the front. The back has just a zippered pocket; it’s practical but also pretty boring.

Big Buddha does its best to make amends with a functionally designed interior. It’s luxuriously large, but the multiple compartments and array of slip and zip pockets makes it feel manageable. These are trimmed in leather to ensure they’ll last for as long as you want to carry it.

Big Buddha’s cut a few corners when it comes to the materials and details, but it also doesn’t charge a fortune for the Zion. At $94.95 it’s a fashionable and affordable addition to any wardrobe.

More Features of This Big Buddha Whipstitched Tote

• Polyester lining
• Magnetic closure
• A thick handle with a 10.5 inch drop
• Measures 11.5 x 19 x 8 inches
• Made in China

Get this Big Buddha Zion Handbag:

• Available to buy at Endless (limited stock in some colors)
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Big Buddha Zion, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Shop Savoy Truffle eBay store to see if this Big Buddha bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Big Buddha bags on BagBunch
• The Big Buddha Kaitlyn shoulder bag, a great alternative to this whipstitched bag.
• Searching for more Big Buddha bags on eBay

Betsey Johnson’s brand of flamboyance isn’t for everybody, but you can’t fault her commitment to her creative vision. I haven’t always warmed to her frothy concoctions, but I can’t help falling for this Frill Me Up Leather Clutch.

I think this clutch works because it’s meant for retro 80s dance parties and karaoke nights rather than everyday occasions. Everything takes me back to my youth, from the sickly sweet pink leather to the tight girly frills. The silver studs bring it back to the present, but they’re not edgy enough to undermine the clutch’s retro vibe.

This is a fairly large clutch, so you could probably work it before five. It’s got enough space to carry daytime essentials after all, including a wallet, set of keys, cell phone, and gloss. It’s also well organized with a pair of open pockets and a zippered pouch for valuables. The lack of shoulder straps or wrist loops is a glaring omission though. This purse would have been much more versatile if we only had a hands-free carrying option.

Just make sure your outfit is neutral, as the Frill Me Up won’t allow itself to be outshone. If you’re wearing something more complicated than dark jeans or a little black dress I’d probably think twice.  Of course if you want to pair it with an 80s throwback frock you’ll certainly make a statement!

Its high quality materials make the Frill Me Up’s $168 price tag quite reasonable. However you’ll probably need to consider how much use you’ll get from it before you lay your money down.

More Features of This Betsey Johnson Ruffled Clutch

• Fabric lined interior
• Measures 11.5 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Also available in white

Get this Betsey Johnson Frill Me Up Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Betsey Johnson Frill Me Up Clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the SmartBargains eBay store to see if this Betsey Johnson bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Betsey Johnson bags on BagBunch
• The Betsey Johnson All Frills hobo bag, a great alternative to this frilled bag.
• Searching for more Betsey Johnson bags on eBay

New handbag and accessories label Querida is doing things a little differently. Rather than entrusting its accessories to a single creative director, the company is enlisting a collection of special guest designers from around the globe.

The label, which takes its name from the Spanish word for beloved, looks to showcase creative minds from a range of disciplines. This will be the first time that many of these artists working in the worlds of architecture and furniture have created fashionable and portable items. That should make things interesting if nothing else!

The Querida bags and accessories will be handmade in small batches in South America. Each will be crafted from full grain, vegetable dyed leather and assembled using time honored techniques.

Querida founder Laurence Raines has designed the first batch of styles. In June Querida will release another collection created by Japanese ceramic and tabletop designer Makiko Nakamura. Later we can look forward to lines from Prague footwear designer Zuzana Serbak, British accessories maker Rachel Esswood, Helsinki furniture and lighting designer Mika Tolvanen, and Shanghai furniture mastermind Zhili Liu.

More designers will be added to the Querida roster each season. Despite some of the big names attached, we can expect to pay between $575 and $775 for the bags. Those are high end price tags, but they’re still approachable.

The Laurence Raines designed Querida bags are currently available through the label’s website and selected boutiques. I’d bookmark this page, as it sounds like there are plenty of exciting bags in store.

[Source: Accessories Magazine]

Beirn takes the snakeskin we love, but uses it on a much smaller scale with this Annie clutch.

In many ways snake makes more sense on an evening purse than a day bag. It’s a fairly fragile material, so using it as an occasional piece rather than an everyday accessory will help extend its life. Snakeskin is also such a showstopper; while it can overpower our daytime wardrobe once the sun goes down it gets a chance to shine.

And shine it does here in a stunning metallic shade of blue. Its a little bit 80s, and a whole lot of style. The color doesn’t seem as gaudy as traditional gold or silver can be, but it’s no less eye-catching! Beirn lets the hue do the talking by giving the Annie a simple, fold-over design.

The Annie is a slender creature, but it’s also much longer and taller than the average evening purse. That’ll help you carry a few extra party items, so long as they’re not too bulky. The zippered pocket will certainly come in handy for storing keys, phones, and other items you need on hand.

The lack of shoulder strap is the biggest disappointment for me. A purse of this size really deserves one, especially when it’s made from such an exotic material. The last thing I want is the natural oils from my skin eroding the snake before its time.

If it doesn’t last as long as you’d like, the price you’ll pay should be some consolation. At $228 this is one of the most affordable snakeskin purses I’ve seen.

More Features of This Beirn Snakeskin Clutch

• Zip top closure
• Canvas lined interior
• Measures 5 x 11.5 x 2 inches
• Made in Indonesia

Get this Beirn Annie Handbag:

• Available to buy at Endless (limited stock)
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Beirn bags on BagBunch
• The Anya Hindmarch Marano bag, a great alternative to this snakeskin clutch bag.
• Searching for more Beirn bags on eBay
• Other snakeskin clutch bags on eBay:

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